The Mets nearly came up with another magical comeback, but their ninth inning rally came up just short.
Try as he might, Yoenis Cespedes couldn’t single handedly win this game for the Mets. The slugger, who was expected to miss three games with a finger injury, exploded for three hits, including a home run, and threw out a runner at home to save a run. But his sixth inning solo home run was all the offense the Mets could muster against 20-year-old Mike Soroka in his Major League debut.
Noah Syndergaard started the game and had a nightmare first inning where he surrendered three runs on five hits to start the game. And yes, of course Freddie Freeman was in the middle of it. Syndergaard settled down to throw five scoreless frames after that, but the damage was done as the Mets offense went cold tonight. The hot shot rookie Soroka got yanked after six innings but the Mets couldn’t do anything against the Braves’ bullpen until the ninth when they scored one but left the tying run in scoring position.
It will be up to stopper Jacob deGrom to get the Mets back on track tomorrow. Hopefully, the offense wakes up against lefty Sean Newcomb.
Listening to the radio boys tonight, I heard that the first four batters got hits on 99, 99, 98, 97 mph fastballs. In fact, of the first nine hitters, six had hits until Syndergaard realized he may want to mix it up some. By the fourth inning, the guys were telling me that he has started to mix in his off speed stuff much better. However, tonight the Braves did what they needed to do and it was enough to win.
Interestingly, the Braves took a very productive player in Preston Tucker out of the starting lineup to put in a talented rookie. What a concept! Putting a more talented player in the lineup, even over one that is producing. The Ice Age mentality that Alderson is caught in has:
1. The most productive players sitting because he fantasizes about veterans no matter how washed up;
2. An empty minor league system because he always drafted safety rather than tools (maybe he was a crossing guard?);
3. Unathletic teams that cannot manufacture a single run but need to produce for every single run they get.
Interestingly, ARod was on WFAN today and said that the best players in the postseason are players that are contact players first because the big swingers don’t succeed against consistently good pitching. He mentioned by name four players, but right now I only remember two of them – Daniel Murphy and Justin Turner – not just because they were ex-Mets but also because Alderson Never Ever Learns from his mistakes! The Braves are athletic, fast, make contact and lead the universe in runs scored while the Mets haven’t changed their pathetic ways since 2011. A stiff at first base, a stiff in right field, automatic outs behind the plate, and a mentality that 4 walks equal a run.
Atta boy Sandy. The problem with geniuses is whether something works or not, they are willing to fail waiting for success so they can thumb their nose at the world. Right Pat Riley and John Starks? Right Bill Belichek benching your best defensive back during the Super Bowl to make a point, but giving up a few miles in passing offense?
I let it all out tonight, sorry, it’s long, I know.
Harsh, but accurate.
There there, Gus. I get the frustration and I agree with you about Sandy’s my way or the highway approach. You know I’ve never agreed with this 1980’s American League style of play and I warned in the off-season of the potential for station-to-station play while we wait for a home run that often doesn’t come. That said, it’s all the more impressive that Callaway has played the hand he’s dealt with agressive base running and play calling. Having slow footed players, high strikeout guys and guys who can’t bunt is a perfect recipe for stranded base runners. Getting Nimmo in the lineup more consistently is a must.
Remember, we’re never as good as we’re playing at our best or as bad as we’re playing at our worst. Conforto needs to wake the hell up.
They’re aren’t as bad about the 3% outcome (that’s a homerun’s chances) as they used to be, but while Alderson embraces analytics, why doesn’t he embrace the players these analytics point towards?
The Rosario AB in the ninth was a complete abomination. It was a straight swing situation as his hitting into a DP is a very unlikely outcome. Why clutter his head with the fake bunt, swing away approach? Senseless.
I’ll give the kid his due on defense, but at the plate I’m afraid he is never going to stop chasing. I see no signs of it.
He’s Javier Baez not only without power, but he also swings and misses at way too many pitches in the strike zone. It’s looking more and more like our “number one prospect” is forever going to be just that — a prospect.
And his two big games notwithstanding, I think we can all do without watching Adrian Gonzalez hitting into rally killing double plays. If he was still a gold glove defender I’d cut him more slack, but he has no range anymore.
+2, Brian and I.